ఎండ కాచిననాడు ఏకులు వడికి, వాన కురిసిననాడు పత్తి పట్టుకున్నట్లు.
enda kachinanadu ekulu vadiki, vana kurisinanadu patti pattukunnatlu.
Spinning thread when the sun is out, and gathering cotton when it rains.
This proverb describes someone who acts counterproductively or does things at the wrong time. Since cotton gets ruined in the rain and thread is best handled in stable conditions, it mocks poor planning and the lack of common sense in choosing the right time for a task.
Related Phrases
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకుని వేళ్ళాడినట్లు.
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukuni velladinatlu.
Like hanging onto the eaves of the roof when someone is pulling your leg.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stubborn or desperate to stay in a position or situation even when they are being forcefully removed. It is used to mock someone who lacks dignity and clings onto something despite being clearly unwanted or rejected.
ఎండకాలంలో ఏకులు వడికి, వానాకాలంలో వడ్లు దంచినట్లు.
endakalamlo ekulu vadiki, vanakalamlo vadlu danchinatlu.
Like spinning cotton in summer and pounding rice in the rainy season.
This expression refers to poor planning or performing tasks at the most inconvenient and difficult times. Spinning cotton (ekulu vadakadam) is better done when there is humidity (monsoon) to prevent the fiber from breaking, while pounding rice (vadlu danchadam) requires dry weather. Doing them in reverse leads to unnecessary hardship and inefficiency.
వడికిందంతా పత్తి అయినట్లు
vadikindanta patti ayinatlu
As if everything spun became cotton again.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of hard work or effort results in zero progress, or when things return to their original raw state despite the labor put in. It signifies wasted effort or a futile exercise where the end product is no better than the starting material.
పాములు లేనివాడు వానపామును పట్టుకున్నట్లు
pamulu lenivadu vanapamunu pattukunnatlu
Like a man who doesn't have snakes catching an earthworm
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks real skill or courage but tries to act brave or show off by tackling something harmless or insignificant. It highlights a situation where someone settles for a weak imitation because they are incapable of handling the real thing.
చేతులు కాలినాక ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్లు.
chetulu kalinaka akulu pattukunnatlu.
Holding leaves after the fingers are burnt, by holding a hot cooking pot or object.
The proverb refers to action taken after something harmful has already happened. It is always desirable to take proper precautions to avoid any undesirable developments rather than regretting after the event. Prevention, they say, is better than cure.
ఒకనాడు ధారణ, ఒకనాడు పారణ.
okanadu dharana, okanadu parana.
One day holding (fasting); one day breaking fast.
This expression describes the unpredictable nature of life, especially regarding financial or food security. 'Dharana' refers to fasting or self-restraint (often due to lack), while 'Parana' refers to the meal that breaks a fast or a feast. It is used to describe someone whose circumstances fluctuate between periods of scarcity and abundance, or simply the ups and downs of life's fortunes.
A precarious subsistence. Change of fortune is the lot of life. To-day a king, to-morrow nothing. (French.)
అత్తిపత్తి
attipatti
Touch-me-not plant
Literally referring to the Mimosa pudica plant, this expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive, shy, or gets easily offended or hurt by even the slightest comment or touch.
ఎద్దు తంతుందని గాడిదకాళ్ళు పట్టుకున్నట్లు.
eddu tantundani gadidakallu pattukunnatlu.
Like catching the legs of a donkey because an ox is kicking.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, in an attempt to escape one problem or danger, seeks help from an even worse or more unreliable source. It highlights the foolishness of choosing a remedy that is as bad as or worse than the original trouble.
గుమ్మడికాయ దొరికిననాడు తర్పణం వదలినట్లు
gummadikaya dorikinanadu tarpanam vadalinatlu
Like performing an ancestral ritual on the day a pumpkin is found.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely stingy or opportunistic, performing a religious or social obligation only when the necessary materials (in this case, a pumpkin for ritualistic offerings) are obtained for free or by chance, rather than out of genuine devotion or at the proper scheduled time.
ఒకనాడు విందు, ఒకనాడు మందు
okanadu vindu, okanadu mandu
One day a feast, one day medicine.
This expression highlights the consequence of overindulgence. It suggests that if you indulge in a lavish feast or overeat today, you will likely end up taking medicine for health issues tomorrow. It serves as a warning for moderation in eating habits.
One day favor, one day disfavor. To-day in finery, to-morrow in filth. (German.)